Very disappointing, especially after seeing the director's "Farewell My Concubine", which is a masterpiece. This film is overlong and ultimately tedious. Gong Li delivers a wonderful performance, as always. And some of the battle scenes are original and breathtaking. The actor who plays the Marquis is also riveting, and the film holds your interest during his part of the film. But after a while the film feels like a lecture on what tragedies are committed in the name of noble causes. And the Shakespearian intensity feels forced and pedantic. For a much more cinematic treatment of the same period, see "The Emperor's Shadow". And, of course, "Ran".
Review of The Emperor and the Assassin
